Peach tree named ‘CRISPDIVA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of yellow peach tree denominated ‘CRISPDIVA’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet yellow flesh, with a slightly red pigmentation into the stone cavity and a star-shaped red pigmentation around the stone cavity, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a very high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on an orange red background.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘CRISPDIVA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of yellow peach tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘CRISPDIVA’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone yellow flesh fruits with a slightly red pigmentation, for fresh market in end of August or early in September in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘CRISPDIVA’ yellow peach tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

‘CRISPDIVA’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 03.7E.64.10.

The ‘CRISPDIVA’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the ‘NECTAPI’ yellow nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,156) which was used as the seed parent and a white peach tree named ‘SWEETPRIM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,157) which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘CRISPDIVA’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘CRISPDIVA’ yellow peach tree blooms at the end of February or early in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it blooms between February 24^(th) and March 6^(th). The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its early date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘CRISPDIVA’ ripens generally in the middle or at the end of August. More particularly, it usually ripens between August 13^(th) and August 20^(th). However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical specimens of the fruit of the new variety ‘CRISPDIVA’ at ripening time.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows three typical specimens of the fruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting leaves, fruit flesh, pit and pit cavity of the new variety

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph of the stone of the new variety, the stone has been cut in half to show the inside of the stone and the kernel.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers, stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘CRISPDIVA’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of February. The type of flower is showy with medium petal size. Petals are pale pink to medium pink. Leaf glands are present and round. The fruit flesh is yellow or orange yellow generally with a slightly red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity. The fruit skin is thick, with a luminous and homogenous red purple blush on an orange red background. The stone is clingstone and his size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘JULIENICE’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,472), ‘CRISPDIVA’ variety blooms 5 days earlier and the fruits of ‘CRISPDIVA’ variety ripen approximately at the same time than the ‘JULIENICE’ fruits. The fruit color of the ‘CRISPDIVA’ new variety is more intense than the color on ‘JULIENICE’ fruits skin. Indeed, ‘JULIENICE’ fruits are orange red on 100% of the fruits skin whereas ‘CRISPDIVA’ fruits are red to orange red, and the red blush coloration covered 90 to 95% of the fruit skin surface on an orange red background. The flesh of ‘JULIENICE’ variety shows a balanced flavour whereas ‘CRISPDIVA’ flesh, is semi sweet, aromatic and sugary.

Compared to its female parent, which is ‘NECTAPI’ a yellow nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,156), the new variety ‘CRISPDIVA’ is a yellow peach variety. Both varieties have a semi-sweet flavour, a late maturity season and circular leaf glands. The new variety male parent, which is ‘SWEETPRIM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,157), is a white peach tree The ‘SWEETPRIM’ variety has a balanced flavour, i.e. more acidulous than ‘CRISPDIVA’ and ‘NECTAPI’ flavour Moreover, the ‘SWEETPRIM’ variety has an early season of maturity and reniform leaf glands.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of yellow peach tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first             year was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned             during each following dormant season to a height of             approximately 250 cm. Current season shoots growth could             reach 80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and             next years) reached a final height of 330 cm including             current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently             reduces to 250 cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered strong.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit             set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit             into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit             set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and             cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is             therefore not distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered             homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1             year. Thinning should be reduced or very reduced because of             the capacity of the tree to produce homogeneous fruits with             a high potential.         -   Form.—The ‘CRISPDIVA’ variety has naturally a semi-flared to             semi-upright shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling             requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours             showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages             were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12             degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant             to frosty springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 6.8 centimeters in diameter when             measured at a distance of approximately 30 centimeters above             the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered slightly rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of             lenticels reaches 3 or 4 lenticels per cm². The lenticels             range in size from approximately 5.0 to 8.0 millimeters in             width, and about 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (RHS Grey 201 D), whereas the inside is considered             brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A or RHS Greyed Orange 165 B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a brown color (RHS Brown N             200 C) or a silver color slightly darker than the outside of             lenticel color (RHS Grey 201). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium to large for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The             current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 5.0             millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter from 24.0             to 32.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 45 degrees and 60             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Current season shoots.—Internode length: Generally between             30.0 and 45.0 millimeters. Color of mature branches: Brown             (RHS Grey Brown N 199 C).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips             is considered yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS             Yellow Green 144 B) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas             the upper part is darker and colored in brown-purple (RHS             Greyed Red 178 A), depending on the level on the tip. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is 3.73.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 146.0 to 169.0 millimeters with             leaf petiole. The medium length is about 156.4 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 36.0 to 48.0 millimeters. The             medium width is 41.9 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Short, pointed and acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Green (RHS Green 137 A to             RHS Green 137 B) or yellow Green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A).             Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A to             RHS Yellow Green 146 B or RHS Yellow Green 147 B) than the             upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost cream white (RHS             Yellow Green 145 C to RHS Yellow Green 145 D or RHS Yellow             Green 154 D). The color may evolve with maturity.         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About             8.0 to about 11.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 2.0             millimeters.         -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS             Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B). Lower             surface. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green 150 C or RHS Yellow             Green 154 D).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered small to medium. Their size             is about 1.0 millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 or 3 glands             per leaf. Type. — Round. Color. — On young leaves, leaf             glands color is considered a light green (RHS Green 145 B).             On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark brown             (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown 199 B). Margins. —             Smooth and regular.         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.             But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves             uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or             3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of             development, the floral buds are round and balloon shaped.             Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables             dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are             approximately 11.0 millimeters wide and approximately 16.0             millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent             upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of             development, the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the             sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to             RHS Greyed Purple 183 D or RHS Grey Brown Group 199 A). The             corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of pale pink             color (RHS Red Purple 65 B or RHS Red Purple 69 C). Petals             color shows an evolution until the end of flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the end             of February or early in March. The first bloom was observed             on Feb. 24, 2011.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium in relative comparison to             other commercial peach cultivars grown in the             Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full             bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming             period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic             conditions and cultural practices. Thus the full bloom was             observed from Feb. 24 until Mar. 6, 2011, then from Mar. 16             until Mar. 25, 2012 and from Feb. 22 until Mar. 12, 2013.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 12 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full             bloom is approximately 34.0 to 37.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between             30 and 50 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a             high rate of fruit set.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium. Length:             Generally 19.0 millimeters. Width: Generally 17.87             millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth and soft.         -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a             pale pink (RHS Red Purple 69 B to RHS Red Purple 69 C) or a             medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to RHS Red Purple 65 C)             when young, becoming slightly darker until the end of             blooming.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a conic             form, slightly round at the apex. Length. — About 5.0 to 6.0             millimeters. Width. — About 4.0 millimeter at the base.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered moderately wavy,             sinuate.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally wide             dome-shaped.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium to large and             having an average length of approximately 4.0 millimeters.             Diameter. — Considered average, approximately 2.0             millimeters. Color. — Yellow Green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.             Color. — The inner surface of the calyx is mat golden orange             (RHS Greyed Red 178 C to RHS Greyed Red 178 D). The outer             surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown (RHS             Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 D) color.         -   Sepals.—Surface texture. — The outer surface has a fine             pubescent texture. Size. — Medium. Form. — Oval. Color. —             Both sides of sepals are colored with a matt Red (RHS Greyed             Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 D or RHS Grey Grey             Brown Group 199 A).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 40             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers—Color. — At an early stage of maturity, anthers are             colored with an orange yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS             Yellow Orange 16 B) . The color may evolve with maturity to             turn in a red or red orange color (RHS Greyed Purple Group             178 A).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS Yellow             Orange 17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The present             variety is considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 9.0 and 16.0             millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally higher             than the pistil's length. Color: Considered pale pink to             slightly darker pink (RHS Red Purple 62 C to RHS Red Purple             62 D or RHS Red Purple 73 A to RHS Red Purple 73 B). The             color becomes darker during the blooming.         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually more than 1, sometimes 3.             Generally. — Average in size. Length. — Approximately 16.0             to 18.0 millimeters including the ovary. Generally equal to             stamen length, if not slightly smaller. Color. — Considered             a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group 150 D or RHS             Yellow Green Group 151 D). The color evolves during the             blooming, becoming more light (RHS Yellow Green Group 150 D)             and sometimes very slightly pink — RHS Red Group 36D).             Surface texture. — Glabrous.         -   Ovary.—Pubescence. — Present. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm in ripe conditions (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Sep. 6, 2009.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘CRISPDIVA’             variety has a late date of picking, and a grouped maturity.             The maturity is grouped within 7 or 8 days and the harvest             is generally performed in two runs. Last known picking times             carry on Sep. 6 to Sep. 12, 2009, then on Aug. 13 to Aug.             20, 2011, then on Sep. 1 to Sep. 7, 2012 and finally on Aug.             28 to Sep. 9, 2013.         -   Size.—Generally. — Homogeneous in size. Considered large to             very large. Form. — Round and regular. Very slightly fuzzy.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 74.0 to 80.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 71.0 to 78.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally about 240.0 to 290.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round. The fruit is generally             uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane.         -   Suture.—Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked,             extending from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing             or stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.             Color. — The suture has generally a similar color to the             whole fruit color, a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple             187 A to RHS Greyed Purple 187 B or RHS N 186 C).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.         -   Apex.—Non-prominent, small and generally slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 14.0             millimeters. Average width is about 18.0 to 24.0             millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered thick and strong, and             the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium,             depending on the fruit maturity. Texture. — Fine pubescence.             Taste. — Semi-sweet. Tendency to crack. — None observed.         -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is an homogenous             purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to RHS Greyed Purple 187             B or RHS N 186 C). The purple red blush covers 90% to 95% of             the fruit skin surface on an orange red background (RHS             Greyed Red 179 A or RHS Orange Red 34 A) on approximately 5             to 10% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the             blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally             dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the             fruit was grown. Ground color. — The ground color covers             approximately 5 to 10% of the fruit skin surface, and is             considered orange red (RHS Greyed Red 179 A or RHS Orange             Red 34 A).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 8.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately. 6.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B to RHS Yellow             Green 145 C).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a             long shelf life. Texture. — Very firm, very dense, crunchy,             melting, juicy at harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Not             fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced. Eating quality. — Considered             very good, aromatic and with a high level of sugars. Flavor.             — Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally superior to             15 and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice.             — Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally 15.0 to             16.0 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the             number of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and             the surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color. — Yellow             flesh (RHS Yellow Orange 14 A to RHS Yellow Orange 14 B)             usually a slightly red pigmentation (RHS Orange Red N34 A)             into the stone cavity and in a star shape on 5.0 to 6.0             millimeters around the stone cavity. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the             fruit maturity.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 32.0 to 34.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 23.0 to 25.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 18.0 to 20.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Elliptic.         -   Base.—Straight to round.         -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is short and pointed.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with an ovate-form and             dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely             furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced             toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief             is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. — The             surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent             ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the             apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and             having a depth of approximately 2.0 millimeters at             mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166 C to             RHS Greyed Orange 166 D or RHS Greyed Orange 174 D).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is very low or absent,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening.         -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered medium. Length. —             Approximately 19.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 12.0             millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately 5.0 millimeters.             Form. — Considered flattened and elliptic. Pellicle. — The             pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence. Color. — The             kernel skin is light orange-brown colored (RHS Greyed Orange             164 A or RHS Greyed Orange 165 B). The almond, which is the             seed of the kernel, is cream white (RHS Yellow White 158 C             to RHS Yellow White 158 D) and has a bitter tasting. The             kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit             maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘CRISPDIVA’ is considered to be a yellow     peach tree of the late season of maturity, and which produces fruits     that are considered firm, attractively colored with a very     homogenous purple red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are     excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full     maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to their     flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be commercialized     as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example).     And they are also useful for both local and very long distance     shipping. -   Keeping quality: Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation and a long     shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. After growth completion, fruits are     preserved more than one week. After harvest, fruits are well     preserved more than 4 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new yellow     peach variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage     after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures.     Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing and its long     shelf life without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4     weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of yellow peach tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet yellow flesh, with a slightly red pigmentation into the stone cavity and a star-shaped red pigmentation around the stone cavity, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a very high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on an orange red background. 